Xining history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of the city of Xining is rooted in deep antiquity, spanning more than 2,100 years. The official starting point is considered to be 121 BC, when, during the Western Han Dynasty, the famous general Huo Qubing established the Xipingting military garrison here. Initially, it was purely a fortification created to protect the empire's borders from raids by nomadic tribes from the west and to ensure control over the strategically important Hexi Corridor.

Key Factors of Formation

The transformation of a small military fort into a flourishing city was driven by a unique combination of geographical and geopolitical conditions that made this region vital for the entire state of China:

• Strategic Geography: The city is located in the fertile valley of the Huangshui River, serving as a natural corridor between the Loess Plateau and the rugged Tibetan Plateau. This made it the only convenient route for the movement of large armies and trade caravans in this mountainous region.
• Transit Trade: An important southern branch of the Silk Road passed through the settlement, followed later by the famous "Tea Horse Road". This ensured a constant influx of merchants, artisans, and goods, stimulating the development of markets and urban infrastructure.
• Political Power: For centuries, the city served as an administrative centre through which the imperial court managed the western frontiers. Possession of this point guaranteed the security of the central Chinese plains from incursions by Tibetan and Mongol tribes.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Already in the early stages of its development, the region formed as a unique "melting pot" of civilizations. The city's economy and culture were built on the close interaction of various ethnic groups and traditions:

• Barter Economy: The foundation of prosperity was barter trade. Chinese tea, silk, and porcelain were exchanged here for hardy Tibetan horses, high-quality wool, timber, and salt extracted from the salt lakes of Qinghai.
• Multicultural Environment: From the first centuries of its existence, the traditions of the Han, Tibetans, Qiang, and later Mongols and the Hui people mixed here. This laid the foundation for a unique local atmosphere where Buddhist stupas harmoniously coexisted with Confucian shrines and, later, Muslim mosques.
• Spiritual Influence: Proximity to Tibet facilitated the early and deep penetration of Buddhism. The city became not just a trade hub but also an important religious centre, attracting pilgrims and monks, which contributed to the development of art, architecture, and printing.

Key Dates in Xining's History

• 121 BC — During the Western Han Dynasty, a military post is founded on the site of the modern city to control western territories.
• 222 AD — In the Three Kingdoms period, a fortified city is erected here, becoming an important defensive point.
• 761 AD — The city is captured by the Tibetan Empire, marking the beginning of a period of struggle for control over the region between China and Tibet.
• 1104 AD — After returning to the control of the Song Dynasty, the city officially receives its current name — Xining, which means "Peace in the West".
• 1227 — Xining becomes part of the Mongol Empire, retaining its importance as a major trade and administrative centre on the Silk Road.
• 1370s — The Ming Dynasty strengthens the city, erecting new walls and stationing a large garrison to protect the borders.
• 1577 — The famous Kumbum Monastery (Ta'er Temple) is founded near the city, becoming one of the most important centres of Tibetan Buddhism.
• ~1724 — The territory comes under the full control of the Qing Dynasty, and Xining becomes a key administrative and military base in the region.
• 1928 — Xining is officially proclaimed the capital of the newly formed Qinghai Province within the Republic of China.
• 1959 — Construction of the railway connecting Xining with Lanzhou is completed, giving a powerful impetus to the industrialization and development of the city.

Key Stages of Xining's Development

The development of Xining is a story of transformation from a frontier fortress into a modern metropolis. The main milestones reflect its growing role in the economy, culture, and governance of a vast region.

• Establishment on the Silk Road: Originally founded as a military outpost, Xining quickly turned into an important trade hub. Its location on the route to Central Asia and Tibet made the city a centre for the exchange of goods such as tea, wool, and salt, which laid the foundation for its early economy.
• Centre of Tibetan Buddhism: The founding of the Kumbum Monastery (Ta'er Temple) in the 16th century turned the surroundings of Xining into one of the most important spiritual centres of Tibetan Buddhism. This attracted pilgrims and scholars to the region, having a profound impact on the cultural appearance of the city and its economy related to serving the monastery.
• Gaining Capital Status: In 1928, Xining was officially appointed the capital of Qinghai Province. This administrative status centralized the management of a huge territory in the city, leading to population growth, infrastructure development, and strengthening of its political significance.
• Industrial Breakthrough: The construction of the railway connecting Xining with Lanzhou in the mid-20th century was a turning point. The city gained access to the national transport network, which kickstarted the development of heavy industry, including metallurgy, mechanical engineering, and chemical production, fundamentally changing its economic structure.
• Gateway to the "Roof of the World": The launch of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway in 2006, starting in Xining, strengthened its status as a key transport hub and the "Gateway to Tibet". This caused a tourism boom and significantly increased the strategic importance of the city.
• Modern Urban Planning: Starting from the late 20th century, Xining has been undergoing large-scale urban modernization. New residential areas, business centres, and transport interchanges are being built. The city is actively developing as a modern metropolis adapted to life at high altitude.
• Ecological and Scientific Role: In recent decades, Xining has become a centre for environmental initiatives and research. Its location at the sources of Asia's great rivers and on the unique Qinghai-Tibet Plateau makes it an important base for studying climate change, preserving biodiversity, and developing "green" technologies.

Architectural Appearance: Fusion of Cultures and Eras

The architecture of Xining reflects its unique role as a crossroads of cultures on the Silk Road. Unlike many eastern metropolises, here Chinese pagodas, the golden roofs of Tibetan monasteries, the minarets of mosques, and modern skyscrapers of glass and concrete coexist harmoniously. The urban development of the city is dictated by its location in the narrow valley of the Huangshui River, which necessitated a linear structure of construction, which in recent years has been actively expanding upwards and outwards through the development of new territories.

Main Architectural Styles and Historical Eras

The city's appearance was formed over centuries, and every historical influence has left its mark in stone and wood. Several key stylistic directions corresponding to different periods of development can be distinguished:

• Traditional Chinese-Islamic Style (Ming and Qing Dynasties): Characteristic of religious structures. A striking example is the Dongguan Grand Mosque. This is a unique example of syncretism: the building combines features of traditional Chinese palace architecture (curved roofs, wooden structures, ornaments) with Islamic functional elements and Arabic calligraphy.
• Tibetan Style (from the 16th century to the present): Represented by Buddhist temple complexes. The most famous is the Kumbum Monastery (Ta'er Temple). This style is characterized by massive walls tapering upwards, flat roofs, the use of golden finials, rich decor with Buddhist symbolism, and stupas (chortens). The colour scheme includes white, red, and gold.
• Socialist Classicism and Functionalism (1950–1980s): The period of active industrialization and the influence of the Soviet Union brought strict monumentality to China and, in particular, to Xining. At this time, administrative buildings, factories, and residential quarters ("danwei") were built with simple geometry, wide avenues, and minimal decoration, focused on utility.
• Modern Modernism and High-Tech (from the 1990s): The era of reform and opening up radically changed the city's skyline. High-rise buildings with panoramic glazing, shopping centres, and high-comfort residential complexes have grown in the central business districts. Modern architecture strives to emphasize Xining's status as a summer capital and an important tourist hub.

Landmarks and Urban Dominants

The urban fabric of Xining is woven from contrasts, where ancient shrines neighbour modern infrastructure:

• Chengzhong District: The historical and commercial heart of the city. Here, old buildings are concentrated next to modern department stores. This is the place where the pulse of city life is felt best.
• Beishan Temple (North Mountain Temple): A Taoist temple complex literally "hanging" on the cliffs north of the city. Its architecture, integrated into the natural landscape using caves and suspended walkways, demonstrates the traditional Chinese skill of fitting man-made objects into the environment.
• City Centre Square: A spacious public space surrounded by modern administrative and office buildings, symbolizing the new stage of the city's development in the 21st century.

Je Tsongkhapa (1357–1419)

A great reformer of Tibetan Buddhism and the founder of the Gelug school, the most influential in Tibet. Je Tsongkhapa (which means "The Man from the Onion Valley") was born in the Tsongkha valley in what is now Qinghai Province, near Xining. His birth and activities turned this region into a significant place for Buddhists around the world, and the Ta'er (Kumbum) Monastery founded in his memory is one of the main shrines closely connected with the history of the city.

Ma Bufang (1903–1975)

An influential and controversial warlord from the Ma clique who ruled Qinghai Province during the Republic of China era (1912–1949), making Xining his capital. His rule was marked by large-scale construction, the development of infrastructure and industry in Xining, but also by strict authoritarian control. He left a noticeable mark on the architectural and political landscape of the city in the first half of the 20th century.

Lobsang Trinley Lhundrup Choekyi Gyaltsen (1938–1989)

Better known as the 10th Panchen Lama, one of the highest hierarchs in Tibetan Buddhism. He was born in Xunhua County, which is today under the administration of Xining. His life and work occurred during one of the most difficult periods in Tibetan history, and he played an important role in attempts to preserve Tibetan culture and religion while being a significant political figure in the PRC.

Huo Qubing (140–117 BC)

An outstanding general of the Han Dynasty, whose successful military campaigns against the Xiongnu nomadic tribes allowed the Han Empire to establish control over the Hexi Corridor. Although he was not a native of Xining, it was on his initiative that a military garrison was founded here in 121 BC, which eventually turned into the city of Xining. Thus, he is considered the historical founder of the city.

Zhao Leji (born 1957)

A high-ranking contemporary Chinese political figure. He was born in Xining and began his career and political path in Qinghai Province. Rising from a local official to the head of the provincial party committee, he subsequently assumed top posts in the central government in Beijing, including membership in the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.